CBS ‘Supergirl’ Gets Her First DC Villain, But Who’s the Real Big Bad?

CBS’ forthcoming ‘Supergirl’ series has kept right on casting beyond its titular heroine, but as with any good DC series, villains will come out of the woodwork, some more literally than others. A new report suggests that DC’s “Lumberjack” will be the first big bad Kara Zor-El faces in following Superman’s bootsteps, but a far more sinister villain may be pulling the strings.

TVLine reports that CBS has begun casting for the little-known DC supervillain, specifically seeking a “big, burly monster of a man” akin to Rory McCann’s “The Hound” from ‘Game of Thrones’ (hey, he’s available!). Having previously battled Kara’s more-famous cousin, the axe-wielding villain shows up in the pilot episode to test the limits of Supergirl’s power, intriguingly on behalf of an unknown superior pulling the strings. Guesses, anyone?

Based on the DC Comics character, the drama tells the story of Kara Zor-El, who was born on the planet Krypton, but escaped amid its destruction years ago. Since arriving on Earth, she’s been hiding the powers she shares with her famous cousin Superman. But now, at age 24, she decides to embrace her superhuman abilities and be the hero she was always meant to be.

‘Arrow’ producer Greg Berlanti and ‘No Ordinary Family’’s Ali Adler will write the script and executive produce the hourlong drama through Berlanti Productions’ Warner Bros. Television-based banner, with Sarah Schecter also executive producing. As with DC’s approach to movies and TV thus far, the new ‘Supergirl’ series will likely establish its own independent continuity, outside of ‘Arrow’ and ‘The Flash,’ or the inevitable ‘Justice League’ movie, as CBS boss Nina Tassler recently downplayed the possibility of any CW crossover.

Lumberjack certainly makes for an…interesting choice of Kara’s first major DC villain, but what say you? Might there be a more familiar big bad lurking in the shadows? What make you of CBS’ ‘Supergirl’ TV series?